What’s a mom of five like me doing hanging out at a marijuana festival you ask?

No, I’m not having a midlife crisis. Haha. I guess you could say I’m on a roll (no pun intended) with learning more about cannabis. I find cannabis health benefits fascinating; CBD and THC have helped me with my anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic back pain. It’s also really helping Travis with his chronic knee pain (more on that later).

Travis and I have been trying to attend more cannabis events to learn as much as we can. That’s why I was excited when the cannabis brand Stiiizy invited me to attend the High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit and their VIP launch party last week!

High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit

MY FIRST HIGH TIMES CANNABIS CUP DETROIT

The High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit was the perfect event for me to learn more about marijuana culture! Firstly, I didn’t know such an event as the Cannabis Cup even existed. I still have so many questions!

High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit was held at the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit. The 2-day festival featured many cannabis vendors from Michigan and other states.

I had even spotted a “Green Doctor” who was available for visitors who needed a medical marijuana card. I didn’t research the details on the Green Doctor so I’m not sure how the process worked for a “speedy” medical card.

Green Doctor
A “Green Doctor” was available at the High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit.
Russell Industrial Center lion mural
Russell Industrial Center in Detroit, Michigan

I did learn, however, High Times Cannabis Cup is a very famous cannabis festival. I also learned High Times is a cannabis-based publication. Someone’s probably reading this and laughing at me, but all of this is so new to me! LOL!

Listen– just last month I downloaded Leafly and Weed Maps to my phone because I wanted to read more articles about marijuana and local dispensaries.

A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for Detroit Metro Times marijuana newsletter to keep up with trending topics about cannabis and Michigan’s marijuana laws.

High Times Cannabis Cup
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
Michigan marijuana law
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit

And you may remember I went to BotaniQ’s High Tea party a couple of months ago, which was an event to educate women on the health benefits of cannabis.

I’ve also visited an alternative health center to learn more about CBD and the differences between CBD and THS. So as you can see, I’m seriously researching cannabis!

Travis has also been researching cannabis, too. He recently started using cannabis to help him with his chronic knee pain. When Travis was serving active duty in the Army, he sustained a knee injury on one of his deployments.

High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit was held at the Russell Industrial Center.

Before he got out of the Army, he had two knee surgeries. His knee isn’t better. It’s actually why he had to get out of the Army. For the short time Travis has been using cannabis for his knee pain, he has seen positive results from cannabis.

It helps him with pain relief and makes it a little easier for him when he goes on his daily walks. This past summer, Travis started going on daily walks to help with his knee pain. Soon he will be going to see the VA doctor because he’s been having problems with his knee again.

**SIDE NOTE: You can read the winners of the 2019 Detroit Cannabis Cup HERE if you like.**

STIIIZY VIP LAUNCH PARTY

We had such a great time at the Stiiizy VIP Launch Party at Northern Lights Lounge! Travis was my date, of course. We didn’t get to make it to Cannabis Cup on Saturday because we went to the Dream Cruise with our kids.

Even though we missed Saturday’s Cannabis Cup, I felt like going to Stiiizy’s part was a great way to kick off my first cannabis festival experience.

Northern Lights Lounge Detroit
Good Life Detroit
Travis and I had the best date night at the Stiiizy launch party!

The party was SO much fun! Stiiizy’s VIP party was held at Northern Lights Lounge on their patio. There were delicious appetizers (we had the wings…YUM!), dancing, and mingling with new friends.

Stiiizy made its inaugural appearance at the High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit. The cannabis brand recently announced its launch in Michigan. Stiiizy was launched in 2017 and is currently sold in 70% of all licensed cannabis retailers in California.

Stiiizy showcased its products at the Cannabis Cup. We also received a Stiiizy Detroit swag bag with a few goodies. Travis and I got a Stiiizy Detroit tee, a Stiiizy vaporizer, and two half gram THC cartridges.

Golf Clap and CODES were the DJs for the night. Okay, I’ll tell you a little secret. We normally don’t listen to techno music.

I know that’s probably a sin just saying that out loud since we live in a techno city, but it’s true. *hangs in head in shame*

It’s not that I hated techno music. It’s just that I never really took the time to listen to it or even dance to it.

Northern Lights Lounge
Stiiizy VIP Launch Party
Stiiizy
We each received a Stiiizy Swag Bag at the party!

ADD TECHNO MUSIC TO MY DAILY PLAYLIST, PLEASE!

I’m amazed at how much we loved dancing to techno music! We’ve been missing out on a lot of good music, I’m sure. I’m glad Travis and I tried something new because WE LOVED Golf Clap and CODES!


Funny short story: To my surprise, Golf Clap is a duo. I thought it was Golf Clap as in one singular person. This is how unhip I am, my friends. Wait till I tell you guys about Travis and me hanging out with Elijah, our oldest child, at a rock concert!


Travis and I danced all night at Stiiizy’s party, and you guys, my husband doesn’t even like dancing. LOL! He’ll let you know himself– he’s not that good at it. But I got him to chill and just dance. It was the best date night we’ve had in a long time!

Golf Clap DJ Detroit
Golf Clap. To my surprise, they’re a duo. I thought it was Golf Clap as in one singular person. This is how unhip I am, my friends.
Codes Detroit DJ
CODES at the Stiiizy VIP Launch Party at Northern Lights Lounge.

HOPE THERE WILL BE A CANNABIS CUP NEXT YEAR!

The other day Travis and I were furiously searching on Google to see if Cannabis Cup is a yearly thang. LOL!

Anyway!

As for my first Cannabis Cup– I’m bummed I didn’t get to see Wutang, Warren G, and 2Chainz perform. We had a really tight schedule so I wasn’t able to get the full experience of Cannabis Cup.

Despite time constraints, I think my time at the festival was a great introduction to High Times publication, Cannabis Cup events, the Stiiizy brand, and other cannabis businesses.

It was also great to see some of the Michigan and Detroit-based cannabis businesses. I didn’t realize Michigan had so many!

High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
“Where’s Mary Jane???”
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
@Rooted4You
High Times Cannabis Cup
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit

MICHIGAN LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

Since recreational marijuana is now legal in the state of Michigan, the High Times Cannabis Cup was open to medical cardholders and non-cardholders.

On December 6, 2018, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act went into effect. The new recreational marijuana law made it legal for people over the age of 21 to smoke marijuana.

However, there are some stipulations to the recreational marijuana law. For instance, you can legally smoke marijuana, but you can’t buy it. Only medical marijuana cardholders can legally buy marijuana.

Here’s an article from Michigan Radio which lists 5 things you need to know about Michigan’s new recreational marijuana law. Also, read my blog post on learning more about the health benefits of marijuana.

High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit

Just as I wrote in my previous piece about “Why I’m Celebrating 4/20 This Year”— the more we continue to take time to learn about cannabis, its health benefits, and how it’s making a difference in people’s lives, the less of stigma cannabis will be for people. Fewer people will have fears about using it as an alternative health remedy or for (responsible) recreational use.

Special thanks to Stiiizy for inviting me to attend High Times Cannabis Cup and Stiiizy’s VIP Launch Party! For more information about Stiiizy, visit the official website here.


MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM HIGH TIMES CANNABIS CUP 2019

Photo Credit: Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit, @goodlifedetroit on FB, IG, and Twitter

Russell Industrial Center Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
Marijuana Plants for Sale
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
Sintex Detroit Artist
Detroit artist Sintex did a live mural painting at the festival.
Detroit artist Sintex
This mural is AMAZING! It looks so real! (art by Sintex)
Sheefy McFly Detroit
Sheefy McFly also did a live mural painting at the Cannabis Cup.
Michigan Legalize Marijuana
Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit
High Times Cannabis Cup
High Times Cannabis Cup
High Times Cannabis Cup Detroit

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Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].